Where should I put my EV charger?
Once the excitement has subsided that you’re about to join the global community of electric vehicle (EV) owners, you’ll need to think about some of the practicalities which ownership entails.
One of the first of these practicalities is where exactly on your property your EV charge point should be installed.
Although choosing the best spot to put your home EV charger is typically either a commonsense decision or one based on personal preference, other considerations may need to be explored:
Where you park
It sounds obvious but installing your EV charge point close where you park is a good idea.
However, it’s not about where you’ve traditionally parked, it’s about where the EV will be parked when its charging. It might be that it goes in a garage or another part of your property’s external footprint.
Decide that first and the rest becomes much easier.
Where your Wi-Fi signal is strongest
Or at least where it’s strong enough for the charger to communicate with your EV’s app so that it can tell you when it needs to charge.
Also, when you set up a charging schedule or make any kind of alteration in the charging app, your Wi-Fi is the channel through which this information is communicated to your charger, and then your EV once it's plugged in. With a poor signal, these functions will not work well. Or at all.
There are some chargers that use a mobile signal instead of Wi-Fi but the same principle applies; make sure the charger location is in the vicinity of an adequate mobile signal.
Where the charge port is located on the EV
Ports are located in different positions on different models and can be at the front, rear or side of the vehicle so it’s worth checking if that will influence where the charger should be installed.
However, where the charge port is located is less of an issue, depending on the next consideration…
How long the charge cable is
If your EV charger is tethered, you may be restricted by the length of the cable supplied. Likewise, if you’ve opted for a socket only charger, you’ll need to make sure you buy a cable long enough as they are rarely included.
Typically, the cables that come as standard with a tethered charger are 5 metres. You can get longer ones, but you’ll likely have to pay a bit more for the pleasure.
Of course, you can save yourself a lot of hassle by first measuring the length between your EV’s charging point when it’s parked and where you want the charger to be installed.
Whether you want the charger to be installed on its own post
This is a compelling option for people willing to spend a bit more and endure some temporary disruption.
Installing a charger on its own post means a much greater range of options as to where exactly the charger goes. Wall mounted chargers are convenient, but you’re limited in locations it can go.
Be aware though, installing your charge point on a post means a trench will need to be dug up to conceal the cables. Depending on where you want the post to go, that could mean not much work, or it could mean a lot.
Trip hazards
This one is less a consideration for where the charger goes, more a reminder that where once there wasn’t a cable extending from your home, now there is.
As the cable is always attached to the charger, EV owners who opt for tethered chargers need to make sure it’s neatly coiled away after each use.
Especially at night, or during inclement weather, it’s also easy to forget about a cable that hasn’t been stored away or is still attached to the EV. Such slips of the mind can lead to people tripping over rogue cables. So be careful.
If you need any advice on choosing the right charger for your home and car get in touch with us here at Witch EV, based in Clitheroe, Lancashire.
